1.
The Ancient Olympic Games began as part of a religious festival in honor of Zeus.
2. The ancient Olympic Games began in what year 776 BC
3. The festival and the games were held in a mountain in northern Greece,it is
the tallest mountain in Greeceand the home of the Greek gods and goddesses
Mount Olympos
4. Winners were crowned with an olive wreath (a kotinos)
5. Who were the athletes? Only free men who coud speak Greek
6. This was a 5-event combination of discus, javelin, jumping, running and wrestling.
Pentathlon
7. In total the Olympic Games consisted of: running, the pentathlon, jumping,
discus, "ekebolon" javelin, wrestling, boxing, the pancration, chariot
racing, and horse racing. 10 events
8. With the exception of the equestrian sports, which were staged in the hippodrome,
all the competitions were held in the stadium.
9. Like the Summer Olympics of today, the ancient Olympics were held every four
years.
10. Many athletes competed completely naked
11. One of the main features of the ancient Olympics was the Olympic truce.
The truce meant that all wars were stopped, so that athletes and spectators could
compete and travel in peace.
12. These races were a popular beginning to the events: the chariot
races
The Games ended
with banquets organised in honour of the winner and with sacrifices in honour
of Zeus.
The programme of the Games comprised only individual sports — team sports
were not included.